"Why are there so many people here?"
Standing outside Dewlight Pavilion in Penacony, Lumina murmured in puzzlement at the sight before her.
Before the pavilion's grand entrance, a diverse crowd had gathered: Intellitrons, members of the Dreamjolt Troupe, Pepeshi, and ordinary humans, as if a cross-species conference were being held at the pavilion's doorstep.
After checking the Cognitive Shielding she had cast upon herself, Lumina strode past the crowd and entered Dewlight Pavilion with her usual swagger.
Following the familiar aura she sensed, Lumina quickly arrived at a door.
Ah, this door feels so familiar, she mused.
The first time I came here, I was alone. The second time too. But the third time, there was someone by my side.
Now, I'm alone again...
Hmm... why does this feel like déjà vu from a sequel to "My Late Wife"?
Realizing how easily her mind was being bombarded with thoughts fueled by Herta's "magic," Lumina quickly shook her head, banishing the intrusive thoughts.
Knock, knock, knock!
Without further hesitation, Lumina gently knocked on the door.
"Come in."
After a moment, a clear, melodious voice, tinged with weariness, drifted through the door and reached Lumina's ears.
Hearing the response, Lumina pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Robin, I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Lumina asked knowingly, seeing Robin at her desk, her exquisite features full of exhaustion despite putting on a show of seriousness and ease.
"Sister Lumina! What brings you here?" The moment Robin heard that familiar voice—one capable of healing all ailments of the heart—the exhaustion on her face vanished in an instant, completely and without a trace, as if it had never existed.
"No, no! Sister Lumina! I'm overjoyed you came! How could I ever feel disturbed by your presence?"
Realizing her slip, Robin waved her hands frantically, answering Lumina's earlier question.
"I see," Lumina murmured, nodding slightly in response to Robin's transparent lie. Remembering the scene she'd witnessed outside Dewlight Pavilion, she asked, "What's happening out there? Why are so many people gathered? Is something wrong? Should I offer my help?"
"Those are just reporters," Robin replied, shaking her head to dismiss it as a minor matter. "They'll disperse on their own if I don't go outside."
Penacony was a power renowned throughout the Cosmos, and Robin herself was a major star, practically a household name. Now, this prominent celebrity had become the Head of the Penacony Family—a sensational headline indeed...
"Ah, so they're reporters," Lumina chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand. "I thought they were holding some kind of interspecies conference outside Dewlight Pavilion."
Lumina vaguely remembered reporters.
But as an Emanator, she wouldn't bother with them. Besides, she wandered throughout the Cosmos without a fixed destination. If she chose, these reporters wouldn't even catch a glimpse of her exhaust trail.
"Sister Lumina, is there something you need?" Robin asked. Lumina had come directly to Dewlight Pavilion to find her—surely she hadn't just come for a casual chat.
"Can't I visit you even without a reason?" Lumina frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure in her tone.
"N-n-n-no! Not at all!" Robin's lovely face flushed with panic as she waved her hands frantically, eager to make it clear she hadn't meant anything of the sort.
"Pfft... hahahaha."
Seeing her reaction, Lumina burst into laughter. She reached out and gently ruffled Robin's hair, saying, "I have some business to attend to and I'm preparing to leave Penacony."
"I came to say goodbye."